Category: General Preparedness

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General Preparedness

Change Your Mindset – Act Now!

Preparing for a disaster is a commitment one must make to preserve a sense of calm for yourself and insure a sense of resilience in your household for at least three days. First you must stop right now and ask, “am I doing enough to safeguard myself, my family, and my property?” Chances are you are not. The majority of the US public believes that an emergency professional will attend to their needs in the first 72 hours. This is unrealistic in a major disaster or emergency, even more so if you are in a rural or overwhelmed urban setting.  Did you know that your community, local, state and federal governments are asking more from you now? In the new National Preparedness Goal, National Preparedness System and planning guides (out later this year) and FEMA’s Whole community approach, you are the center of building and sustaining capabilities for your community. Part of citizenship is taking action to prepare yourself and family for the worst and then aiding your neighbors.  Your relationships to others, in churches, associations and business groups are needed to strengthen your community. Millions of citizens across the nation are involved in learning preparedness programs in Citizen Corps, CERT and Teen CERT and the American Red Cross among others. Check within your community’s office of emergency management to learn more and join in.

Prepare with your local CERT teamSecond, if you say you are doing enough, pause, because – you may just need to get beyond the inattention because disasters are infrequent, it would not happen to you (optimism bias) and be prepared for the feeling of fatalism when you overestimate the impact an event has on you or your family.  I do not wish to see the fear, sadness, and loss in your face when I may visit to assist you like I did for others last summer in Hurricane Irene and find no insurance, improper insurance, no back-up plans, activities for children, coping skills or ideas what to do.  As a citizen, one can take independent study courses online at FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute, especially, IS-909, Community Preparedness: Implementing Simple Activities for Everyone (among many others), which includes activities, handouts and facilitator guides, in many languages, to educate yourself and your loved ones.

Third, if you are doing enough (disaster kit, supplies, etc.), are safe, and believe your family can spare you after disaster, then act for others. Stay in your neighborhood and assist. Go door to door, check on others, and offer your help. State where you are and how to reach you. You can do best for your community emergency services by staying put and funneling that restless energy into your charged iPhone or another device with internet connectivity.  Precrisis, join Twitter, and follow your local, state OEM and FEMA, CDC and others. Your local emergency management can use you as a Community Emergency Response Team member on the ground in a bottom up way. Upload pictures of damage in your neighborhood on Twitter or your local or state OEM’s Facebook page. Send iReports, storm tracking, and damage assessment help. Tweet the damage pictures by using the geolocation that already resides in Twitter and your iPhone: #wxreportWW <your location> WW <your significant weather>  .  For example, WW 5409 W. Wecker St. Lincoln, NE, 67478 WW.  Emergency management officials can use this to speed up response and recovery. Your participation in this way has value more so than risking your life and family venturing out to get a generator in the middle of a hurricane because your power went out ten minutes ago.

Prepare now, tend to your family first, then act for others.

About the author:

Ben Nicely is an aspiring emergency management professional actively seeking new career experiences. He taught 14 years in public education in Virginia, including AP Government, US Government, US History, ESL and World History from 1500. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in International Studies and a Masters in Teaching from Virginia Commonwealth University. He holds a graduate certificate in Homeland Security and is expected to finish a Masters in Emergency Management through American Public University by December. He consults and works with his local county Office of Emergency Management on Teen CERT and CERT program efforts and other preparedness efforts including advising on youth on Community and Disaster Education at the American Red Cross. He has taught adults in staff development and soon in CERT classes. He has been honored for use of blogs, discussion boards, Edmodo, and instructional 21st century skill based lessons at the district and school level. In his spare time, Ben enjoys running, traveling, kayaking and helping others in his community. He is married with two dogs.

My LinkedIn profile – http://www.linkedin.com/pub/ben-nicely/36/219/626
Gmail- bnnicely06@gmail.com
Follow me on Twitter- https://twitter.com/#!/bnnicely

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General Preparedness Preparedness Planning Preparedness tips

Reacting instead of Preparing

Why is it that most people need something to happen before they will consider preparedness? It is amazing to me that if there is even the slightest event ie: small earthquake tremor in California, a sudden blackout and the hint of a major weather event and people scramble to purchase the items they need. We see the traffic increase on our site and the phone rings off the hook with people who need/want their preparedness kit NOW!!!

A few days after the event…and things go back to normal. It’s as if people forgot it even happened. Then another thing happens and people go right back to scrambling. Why is it that we don’t heed the lessons from the first situation we were not prepared for an make it a priority to get ourselves better prepared? Why do we feel the need to procrastinate and then rush at the last minute?

Here are a few things I can assure you of:

1. Another event will happen. It may be small or large but you will see another major storm, blackout, fire, earthquake, tornado, etc.

2. You will not be the only person scrambling to purchase what you need.

3. Stores will run out of flashlights, batteries, water, generators and other preparedness related supplies

I have often said that the greatest asset we have in terms of being better prepared is time. If you use the time NOW to at least slowly begin to better prepare…you will be in a much better position later. Small actions will add up.For example: Each time you go to the grocery store…buy one or two extra items you may need in an emergency.

Please add your own thoughts, tips, ideas and strategies here.

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General Preparedness

Why the sudden interest in Prepping

Is it the economy, recent disasters around the world, movies , new reality shows or the governments efforts to make preparedness a more forefront topic? Across a wide spectrum of preparedness related products we are seeing an increase in both awareness levels and actual product purchases. Is the tide really starting to shift from being just reactive to taking steps ahead of time to be prepared?

My personal opinion is that it isn’t one factor leading to this change but more of a sum of all the different factors that is driving the awareness and growth in the space. In the past few years we have seen an increase in severe disasters both in the U.S. and abroad (an earthquake in Haiti, a massive Tsunami, Hurricane Irene, the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in Japan just to name a few). At the same time we have seen over half a dozen TV’s show hit the air related to preparedness and survival (Bear Gryll’s Man vs. Wild, Les Stroud’s Survivorman, Dual Survival, Man Woman Wild, Doomsday Preppers and so on).

The Federal Government, FEMA, The Red Cross and local community government also seem to be doing much more outreach to raise awareness levels and encourage preparation.

I truly hope this is not something temporary. I hope that more and more people continue to take the necessary steps to make themselves, their families, their businesses and their communities better prepared. In the long run..time is our greatest asset and if we use it wisely…we will all be better off.

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General Preparedness

Post-Disaster Family Communication

facebook safe status

Let’s say your area just got hit with a sizable disaster, maybe a tornado, earthquake, or something of that magnitude.

Let’s also assume you had followed all the advice found in “Disaster Prep 101” and you’re safe and sound.

The first thing you’d be doing is checking on neighbors and loved ones in your area to make sure they were safe.

Simultaneously though, your friends and loved ones in other areas are wondering how you are and may start calling to check. If they call, they’ll start to tie up phone lines in your area (if your phone system is up) that local emergency services will need, and if they get through, they’ll tie up your time which is one of your more critical assets in any emergency situation.

The thing you want to do is set up some sort of automatic notification so your family knows you’re safe and so that you won’t be bogged down fielding calls. Try these steps:

1. If you have internet service, post a message to all your social media accounts stating that you’re safe and well. Facebook and Twitter are the most popular, but don’t forget others such as MySpace, and also post a quick note to any forums or professional online groups you’re a part of. Hint: Write only one message and copy and paste it into these different sites.

2. Facebook is working on a new feature that will let you “Mark Yourself as Safe After a Disaster.” More on that is at http://techland.time.com/2012/02/29/new-facebook-feature-lets-you-mark-yourself-as-safe-after-major-disaster/

3. The Red Cross has a page where you can post this info as well. It’s part of their “Safe and Well” program at https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php

4. Update your voice mail greeting on any phone(s) you have to let callers know the date and that you’re fine.

5. Or, contact your “Notify In Case of Emergency” contact and let them know that you may be forwarding calls to them so that they can field the inquiries, or (if you set up your contact person right to start with) tell them to start calling your list of family members you provided them to let everyone know you’re okay.

6. Local emergency management may set up a notification website of their own. Do a quick search, and post your safe-and-sound message their too.

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General Preparedness Personal Preparedness Personal Stories Preparedness Planning Preparedness tips

Doomsday Preppers

doomsday-preppers

I have been asked by a number of people lately if shows like Doomsday Preppers have been good for business. I guess the natural reaction of most people is that since there is a TV show about the topic…it has raised awareness and now more people will buy preparedness supplies.

At this point I am not sure if a show like this actually will help to get people better prepared in the long run or if it will turn people off. While I am sure that some people will see a show like this and make a purchase such as long term food storage or a survival kit….I don’t think that in the long run in will move the needle. And….could it actually deter some people?

In talking about preparedness I have always focused on the masses. I want to help make preparedness a mainstream topic and something everyone thinks about. My problem with a show like this is it shows the extremes. It focuses on “preppers”. I believe that the masses will see a show like this and think the people on it are crazy. They will laugh at the level these folks have taken preparedness too and won’t want to associate themselves with them. I think many will simply say….”I can never be like that” and will decide that preparedness is for the extremists.

I am all for extreme preparedness if that is what is important for you. However…I think it is important to show that you do not need to take these type steps (bunkers, years worth of food, weapons training, etc) in order to be better prepared. You can simply become more aware of emergencies in your area, have a discussion/make a plan with your family, take a CPR class and/or buy some basic supplies such as a 72 Hour Kit. These simple steps will make you better prepared.

It is far more likely that you will encounter severe weather, a car accident, a house fire, flash flood, blackout, injured person, etc than a world devastating volcano or an earthquake that wipes out most of societies infrastructure.

There are levels of preparedness for everyone….start somewhere and build from there. You will be glad you did.

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First Aid General Preparedness Preparedness Planning Preparedness tips Wilderness

Hiking/Outdoor Preparedness

hiking-preparedness

Here are some tips submitted to us by one of our customers who often writes about preparedness. He was in the military and is an outdoor enthusiast.

Being prepared helps alleviate panic as does, training and practice. Practice techniques; make every movement a natural one. Your hands will know what to do until your mind catches up. Muscle memory is repetitive actions without thought. Practice is the only way to achieve this. You must be mentally prepared. You must understand you did not cause the disaster, but your actions going forward are critical to you and your family’s survival. You should practice any techniques described below before a disaster strikes. Use your own judgment, and verify every piece of equipment, tool or technique. Do not stake your life on anyone else’s word. As the saying goes in the military, never let someone else load your weapon or pack your parachute. Survival is up to you.

Clean Water Is the First Priority You Cannot Survive Without It

Water weighs roughly 8.5 pounds per gallon. This means you will not be carrying much in your backpack. You must learn how to collect and make water safe to drink. Boiling is the preferred method. Filter sediments from the water before boiling. You can use a coffee filter, cheesecloth or even a tee shirt. It must rapid boil for three minutes. Use a lid if you have one to collect the condensation caused by the steam. Drain the water from the lid periodically and save for drinking. Boiling removes the oxygen from the water, so once it has cooled shake or stir it well. Note the bubbles; these collect dissolved oxygen from the air. Dissolved oxygen helps control bacteria growth in the water.

Rainwater is safe to drink if it is not runoff, for example, from a roof, sidewalk or roadway. However, collect it and boil it or purify it using household unscented bleach or tincture of iodine. Use unscented Clorox bleach. Eight drops of bleach per gallon is the recommended ratio to kill the bacteria. Boiling or purifying water will not remove harmful chemicals or radiation. Iodine and bleach are the main ingredients in most purification tablets or drops. Tincture of iodine kills bacteria in water as well. Sixteen drops of iodine per gallon is the recommended ratio. Use two percent liquid iodine. Use these methods carefully, and only if boiling and rain collection is not possible. The water must set for an hour before drinking if it is purified using iodine or bleach. It must set longer if it is cool, below 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Collect rainwater by opening an umbrella and turning it upside down. The water will channel to the center. Drain carefully. Let it rain for about 30 minutes before you begin collecting. This washes smog, pollen and any other airborne contaminates out of the air. You can collect rainwater by using clean plastic or your rain gear, as well.

You may be out in the wilderness and may have to collect water where there does not appear to be any. You can ever do this in your own backyard. Scoop out a shallow depression. Your pack should contain plastic or a poncho. Place the plastic over the hole and secure it with stones along the side. Place a small stone in the center to create a depression. Radiant heat will sweat the moisture from the ground and it will collect on the plastic. You can also place some green foliage in the depression, as well. Plants have moisture in them and the sun will sweat the moisture from them. The water will then run toward the center. It is safe to drink because it is essentially distilled by the sun. Collect morning dew using the plastic. Drape it over some low bushes and create small depressions for the dew to collect.

Never drink water from a still pool. Drink or collect water from a fast moving stream, or find seepage from an underground spring. Nature is one of the best at purifying water. Bacteria grows in stagnate pools. Moving water collects dissolved oxygen. Typically, it will not contain as much bacteria. Water that seeps from underground has been filtered and is generally safe to drink. However, do not drink it if it has collected on the ground or in rock crevices. Drink directly from the source.

  • Have a First Kit in Everyone’s Pack
  • Alcohol Wipes
  • Compression Bandages
  • Aspirin
  • Vitamin C Tablets. (You Can Also Add Vitamin C Tablets To Boiled Or Purified water To Improve Its taste)
  • Scissors
  • Bandages
  • Two Percent Liquid Tincture Of Iodine
  • Eye Dropper

Ensure everyone carries a first aid kit. The rule of thumb is to use the injured person’s kit to treat them. This ensures there is a kit for you if you are injured. Follow this rule because it is important. Other first aid items you should have are splints for broken bones, heavy surgical tape, rubbing alcohol and hot and cold packs.

Any wounds must be treated quickly. Stop the blood flow using a compression bandage. Once the flow is stopped, it must be cleaned to prevent infections. Iodine and alcohol are the best ways to kill bacteria around the wound. Bandage the wound well. When splinting broken bones you must allow for swelling. Besides the loss of blood, infection is the main concern with any open wound.

The list of things a person may need could fill a book. However, some things should be in everyone’s pack. The list is by no means comprehensive. Use your own judgment but begin assembling items now.

  • All Purpose Knife With Needle Nose Pliers Cutting Blade and Various Other Handy Items
  • Small Sheet Of Plastic
  • Compass
  • Magnesium Stick And Flint To Start Fires
  • Rain Gear
  • Needle And Thread Include Heavy Needles Similar To The Ones That Can Thread Leather
  • Heavy Fish Line On  A Spool
  • Coffee Filters Cheese Cloth Or Some Other Suitable Material To Filter Water With
  • Small Folding Shovel
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General Preparedness Personal Preparedness Preparedness Planning Preparedness tips Uncategorized

Travel Disasters and Situational Awareness

The news lately has focused heavily on the cruise ship disaster involving the Costa Concordia off the coast of Italy.

Several interesting points come to mind on first glance at this mishap. First, when were passengers given a safety briefing? Some sources say they had one already and others say they were not due their first one for several hours. Also, we know the Captain abandoned ship and we also hear reports that many of the crew were not aiding passengers in distress. Next, with the ship not completely sinking and with being so close to shore, how could anyone have actually died? (Though with a passenger load in excess of 4,000 people, the number of deaths was relatively very low.)

The point of today’s post is not to criticize what did or did not happen aboard the Costa Concordia (especially since we weren’t there), but to focus on things to help protect you and yours if you find yourself in an emergency situation whether aboard ship, an aircraft, a train, or even in a public building.

The key is “Situational Awareness” which means you’re aware of where you are, what’s going on around you, what might happen, and how you might react. Whenever you’re in a new place, whether it’s aboard a ship, aircraft, train, or even in a new building, you should know your surroundings, the threats you may face, the ways in which you might learn of an emergency, and the assets around you.

Here are a few thoughts:

1. Know the layout of where you are. In a public building for the first time? Look at the fire escape plan which should be posted near elevators or stairs. (Hint, if the risk of an event is high, take a picture of the floor plan with your phone.) How many doors are between you and an exit? Could you find the exit in heavy smoke by counting doors as you crawled along the floor to safety? How about a plane? (Read the info pamphlet about the plane you’re in and pay attention during the safety briefing.) Where is the closest exit (remember, it may be behind you) and how many seats are there between you and the exit? Aboard ship? Attend any safety briefing, not just the mandatory ones. Which passageway do you take to reach the lifeboats from your room? From the galley? From the entertainment areas?

2. Learn to identify safety personnel. Aboard an aircraft it’s easy; they’re your flight attendants. What about aboard ship? Not all crew are trained to handle guest safety. Some are assigned specific ship protection duties in a crisis. Can you tell the difference? What about in a building? Who’s with security and how do you identify them? Do you know the location of the security office or posts? How about aboard a train?

3. Note the location of safety equipment. Where are the fire extinguishers? How about AEDs (Automatic Electric Defibrillators), fire hoses, first aid kits, fire alarm switches, emergency call boxes, flotation devices, emergency brake pulls, attendant service buttons, etc.? How many of these do you know how to operate should you be able to locate them? And, always remember that your cell phone can act as your emergency flashlight.

4. Talk with family members about what to do should an emergency occur. How many in your family know first aid or CPR? Do you plan meeting times or rendezvous points when at sporting events or the mall where you might separate for a bit? Note: When working on steps 1 through 3 above, make sure you involve others you’re with or teach them to do the same steps.

5. Maintain your health and physical capabilities as best you can. Getting out of a sinking ship, a wrecked train, crashed plane, or burning building are stressful and physically demanding. The healthier you are, the safer you are, and the more you’re able to help others.

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General Preparedness

Resolve to be better Prepared in 2012

As the new year approaches and you make a list of all your resolutions…its a good time to make the commitment to get better prepared in 2012. As we saw in 2011…it doesn’t matter where you live…emergencies/disasters happen. From earthquakes to massive storms,  flooding to tornadoes, blackouts to hurricanes….almost every community faced some type of event.

Being better prepared doesn’t mean panicking or changing your entire lifestyle. It can simply mean talking to your family about an emergency plan, stocking up on some basic emergencies supplies or learning basic first aid or CPR. None of these actions will take much time but they will put you on the right path. I can virtually assure you that you will feel better after you have taken one of these steps.

For myself…I happen to like being better prepared. I like that I can help myself, my family and also random people who may be in need of assistance. Whether it be an injury on the ball field, a fender bender or something worse…situations arise and if you are the first person on the scene…it is nice to be able to take action.

FEMA, The Red Cross and all other Disaster Response organizations say the same message: Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed.

Lets make that a resolution in the New Year.

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Disaster Kits General Preparedness Personal Preparedness Preparedness Planning

Give the Gift of Safety

With the holiday season rapidly approaching most of us are making lists or planning out who we want or need to buy gifts for. Typically these lists include games, clothing, jewelery, sporting goods, liquor and similar items. One suggestion you may want to think about is buying a friend or loved one a preparedness kit or other type safety related item. These items might not be the first things that pop into your mind but they are a unique and important present that will truly show you care.

No matter where you live…you can be affected by storms, blackouts, severe weather, accidents or worse. We all know we need to be better prepared…but to often we procrastinate getting it done. By purchasing a survival kit or product and giving it to someone….you show them you care while making them safer. And…while you are at it…might as well get one for yourself.

It can be a survival kit, a great flashlight, a first aid kit, a car emergency kit and anything else you think is important.

Sometimes thinking out of the box is a good idea.

This holiday season…be safe.

Paul

1800prepare.com

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Disaster Kits Emergency Responders General Preparedness Personal Preparedness Preparedness Planning Survival Kits

Northeast Snow Storm

By now..most people in the Northeast have power back in their homes and have dug out from the freak storm that hit our area. Due to the time of year and the trees being full of leaves….this storm was particularly devastating. There were severe power outages due to the large number of trees and limbs that came down. This caused major breaks in power lines and a large number of transformer fires. All this adds up to a pretty terrible event and one that hopefully taught us all some lessons.

1. Emergencies can and do happen all the time. Even when we don’t expect them to.

2. These events create very dangerous scenarios: live downed power lines, falling debris, loss of power, slippery roads, fires, etc.

3. Emergency response personnel become overwhelmed and can’t get to every emergency immediately

So…this once again should teach us that we all need to be better personally prepared. We need to all learn to become our own “first responders”.

*Did you have the kits and supplies you need?

*Did you have a plan in place of where to go and what to do?

*Did you know what resources were available to you?

My true hope is that each time we face these events…we learn something and more importantly we take action. Take at least one step now towards better preparedness and I can assure you that the next emergency (and their will be one) will be just a little bit easier for you to get through.

In the meantime…be well and be safe.

Paul Faust

1800prepare.com